According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, more than half of adults in the U.S take at least one daily dietary supplement in the name of better health, spending a whopping $28 billion per year.

Although no dietary supplement can replace a balanced diet with plenty of fresh fruits & vegetables, supplements do have the potential to play a critical role in covering inevitable nutritional gaps, supporting your immune system and boosting your body’s antioxidant levels. However, with such a range of multivitamins and antioxidant products on the market, it can be difficult to know what to choose.

Dr. Bill Rawls, a primary care physician from North Carolina, comes to the rescue with guidance for choosing a safe daily supplement with the ability to have a real impact on your health & well being.

Tip 1: Take Vitamins Your Body Can Absorb

Did you know that the vast majority of multivitamins sold in stores include vitamins in their non-activated forms? This means that these vitamins are not being absorbed and utilized by the consumer (aka flushed down the toilet).

It’s hard to watch Americans waste such an incredible sum each year on vitamins that aren’t doing anything. But even more disturbing is the concern that these non-activated vitamins may be having a harmful impact. Since synthetic vitamins are not delivered in forms that the body normally utilizes, they have the potential to disrupt normal biochemical pathways in the body and increase risk of disease.

The term bioavailable is used to signify the portion of a supplement that is absorbed by your body. Natural food sources of vitamins are the best bioavailable form, but manufacturing costs for purely “food source” vitamin supplements are often outrageously expensive due to complicated extraction processes. A viable alternative to expensive food-sourced vitamins is bioidenticals, which are bioavailable synthetic substances that are are identical to the natural compounds found in your body.

Our recommendation for a cost-effective option that is also safe and effective? Look for a supplement that is formulated by an expert for a balance between natural and bioidentical.

Tip 2: Make Friends with Minerals

Due to the modern unbalanced diet, most Americans aren’t getting enough minerals from their diet. For example, 57% of Americans do not meet the US RDA for dietary intake of magnesium which can lead to a range of health issues such as muscular twitching and cramps. Taking a daily supplement to cover your mineral needs is a smart idea, but understanding the way that your body is intended to absorb these minerals is more important. This will allow you to make smart investments in products that will actually work.

Amino-acid chelation provides minerals in a form that can actually be absorbed by your body and does not just pass through1. Chelate comes from the Greek word for claw, and when listed on supplement bottles, denotes ingredients where an essential vitamin or mineral is binded to other molecules to increase its absorption. It is a natural function of the body that allows for more effective transport of minerals across the intestinal wall.

Amino acids are exceptional at being absorbed by the body because they are vital to all biochemical processes, so using them as chelating agents is super efficient. Check labels for the words “citrate” or “chelate”, for example Zinc Amino Acid Chelate.

Amino-acid chelation provides the following improvements in absorption of minerals:

Tip 3: Don’t Skimp on Key Antioxidants

Supplementing with vitamins and minerals can be a basic insurance plan, but not a premium plan which actually promotes your health and protects from diseases. What’s most important when evaluating supplementation is providing your body with powerful antioxidant supportto minimize cell damage from free radicals and toxins that contribute to aging and can cause disease.

If you eat a relatively healthful diet, you are likely getting many of the nutrients you need from food. What your body really craves is therapeutic doses of antioxidants & herbs. Even if you consume salads and juice every single day, you are still not getting the levels of powerful plant-based chemicals that your body could use to protect itself in our modern world.

Herbs produce antioxidants and anti-microbial properties to defend themselves, and by consuming herbs you can obtain this same protection. Herbs contain concentrated amounts of these powerful protective chemicals, which is why they can often flourish in delicate conditions where vegetable plants do not make it. The plants with the most potent chemicals often are the most bitter (such as Milk Thistle); therefore, taking them in capsules is an ideal delivery system for most individuals.

Consuming herbs is very safe for most individuals because humans have such an extensive history with herbal therapy. Our bodies are very familiar with the chemicals found in antioxidants and herbs. These plants work with your body to restore normal balance and optimize your ability to combat free radicals.

Here are the key antioxidants & herbs to look for in a daily supplement:

Tip 4: Divorce Your Multivitamin From Your Omega-3

You may be all too familiar with the fishy smell, taste, and burps associated with Omega-3 supplements; the good news is, it doesn’t have to be this way. If this is was case with an omega product you tried in the past, it was most likely oxidized.

What is the risk of taking an oxidized Omega-3 supplement? Many people do not realize that fish oil is prone to spoiling and continues to oxidize as it becomes exposed to heat, oxygen, and light.Oxidized omega-3 supplements contain very little DHA/EPA (the important omega-3s). But even worse, an oxidized supplement can contribute to the formation of plaques in your arteries.

How can you ensure a quality Omega-3 supplement? It is encouraged to take an omega-3 as a separate supplement from any other ingredients, as this significantly decreases the risk of omega-3 oil oxidation. Be sure to store your omega-3 supplement in a cool and dark environment (no leaving them in a hot car!). You may consider trying krill oil instead of fish oil, as the phospholipid form is more shelf stable than the triglyceride form found in fish oil.

Tip 5: Choose Capsules for Maximum Absorption

Capsules are the most absorbable way to obtain ingredient goodness and are generally easier to swallow than tablets. Your body only has to break down the outer capsule and then has direct access to all the good stuff inside, therefore offering better absorption. Tablets require your body to work much harder to break down the tightly packed mass to gain the nutrients.

In recent years, antioxidant drink mixes & green smoothie powders have exploded onto the scene. While these sound good in theory, they rarely deliver the potency of antioxidants to make a difference and are often very overpriced. Instead of choking down a bitter green drink, taking a capsule with water can be a more efficient way to achieve therapeutic dosing in a cost-effective way.

We know that gummies & chewables are hard to resist, but don’t be fooled. The reason these products taste so good is because they typically contain very little active ingredient compared to the sugar content. Don’t let yourself be tricked into this “healthy” [overpriced] candy. Yes, it is too good to be true!

Tips for Taking Supplements

✔ Take supplements right after your meals to increase absorption. Vitamins are best absorbed by your body when taken with food-based micronutrients.

✔ Set a reminder to take your supplements at the same time each day. Taking your supplements consistently is critical if you are serious about seeing an impact on your health, so that you maintain high levels of antioxidants in your system. Store your supplements in a place that you frequently access, such as in your kitchen or at your desk, and set reminders until you develop a habit of taking your supplements regularly.

✔ Store your vitamins in a cool, dry place. Be careful not to store your supplements in your car in the summer, as this can cause oxidation & spoilage.

✔ Don’t take vitamins with green tea or coffee. This can interfere with proper absorption of the supplement ingredients.

✔ Don’t smoke for at least 30 minutes before and after meals (if you must smoke at all). Smoking decreases the absorption of nutrition and minerals in food by restricting gastric acid secretion.

ⓒ 2015 Vital Plan, Inc. All rights reserved. Information on this site is for personal use only and is not intended to diagnose or treat any
health conditions. The information provided should not be used as a substitute for advice from a healthcare professional.

We want you to be completely satisfied with your experience with Vital Plan.We promise to meet your needs in every way, or your money back.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We promise that you will be 100% satisfied with your purchase. But if for any reason you are not, simply let us know and we will gladly refund the amount of your purchase price.

Our natural approach

We use 100% safe, all natural herbs and ingredients that are bio-available and readily absorbed by the body.

Safety Guarantee

Our products are manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility and are third party tested for safety and efficacy. Our products are free of any toxins or contaminants, and we never use ingredients that we know to have a potential to cause harm.

Innovative and effective formulas

Our products are carefully created by practicing physicians and experts in herbal medicine. We pride ourselves on creating formulas that are driven by clinical research, and we use standardized ingredients that have been proven effective in double blind, placebo controlled clinical studies.

Therapeutic doses & transparent labels

We use therapeutic amounts of ingredients, meaning we include the same amount of ingredient that has been shown to provide benefit in clinical studies. We will never offer a proprietary blend to our customers, and we will always clearly list each and every ingredient in our products as well as the amounts of each ingredient.

Simple and easy to use product line

Our products are meant to be complementary to each other, meaning you will not receive redundancy in ingredients unless for a targeted effect.

Exceptional Customer Service

Our customer service team is glad to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. You will always have a personalized answer Please reach out to them by email at info@vitalplan.com or by phone at (800) 951-2414.

We want you to be completely satisfied with your experience with Vital Plan.We promise to meet your needs in every way, or your money back.

100% Satisfaction Guarantee

We promise that you will be 100% satisfied with your purchase. But if for any reason you are not, simply let us know and we will gladly refund the amount of your purchase price.

Our natural approach

We use 100% safe, all natural herbs and ingredients that are bio-available and readily absorbed by the body.

Safety Guarantee

Our products are manufactured in a Good Manufacturing Practices certified facility and are third party tested for safety and efficacy. Our products are free of any toxins or contaminants, and we never use ingredients that we know to have a potential to cause harm.

Innovative and effective formulas

Our products are carefully created by practicing physicians and experts in herbal medicine. We pride ourselves on creating formulas that are driven by clinical research, and we use standardized ingredients that have been proven effective in double blind, placebo controlled clinical studies.

Therapeutic doses & transparent labels

We use therapeutic amounts of ingredients, meaning we include the same amount of ingredient that has been shown to provide benefit in clinical studies. We will never offer a proprietary blend to our customers, and we will always clearly list each and every ingredient in our products as well as the amounts of each ingredient.

Simple and easy to use product line

Our products are meant to be complementary to each other, meaning you will not receive redundancy in ingredients unless for a targeted effect.

Exceptional Customer Service

Our customer service team is glad to answer any questions or address any concerns that you may have. You will always have a personalized answer Please reach out to them by email at info@vitalplan.com or by phone at (800) 951-2414.

SHIPPING & RETURNS

Placing Orders

Orders placed before 12:00PM (ET) will ship out the same day and orders placed after 12:00PM (ET) will ship out the next day. Orders placed on Friday afternoon, Saturday, or Sunday will ship out on Monday. Once an order ships, please allow 5-7 business days for delivery.

Shipping Fees

All orders under the amount of $100 will be charged shipping as calculated by the US Postal Service. All orders over $100 will receive free standard shipping (5-7 business days). Our post carriers include USPS, UPS, and FEDEX.

Tracking Orders

After your order ships, you will receive a confirmation email with a tracking link for your package. If you have any questions about your order, please contact us.

International Shipping

We currently ship domestically within the United States and to select countries worldwide. For our international shipping details and a full list of countries that we ship to, please view our International Shipping Policy.

Return Policy

If you are not completely satisfied with your purchase—for any reason—we will gladly refund the full cost of the product, less the cost of shipping and handling. Return requests must be submitted within 90 days of your order date. If you have any questions about our return policy please call us at 800-951-2414 and we will be happy to assist you.

The Return Process

If you have a return, please call us at 800-951-2414 or email info@vitalplan.com and we will send you a Return Form. Please note that all returned bottles must be accompanied by a Return Form to receive credit.

Eligible Products

Our 90-day money back guarantee extends to any purchase from VitalPlan.com, regardless of whether you opened and tried the product. We require that products be returned in the original packaging along with the Return Form; return requests without a supplement bottle are not eligible for a refund.

Only products purchased directly from VitalPlan.com fall under the 90-day money back guarantee. If you purchased a Vital Plan product from a healthcare provider or a retail location, please contact them to discuss your return. If you have any questions regarding the return process or you would like to report a negative experience with one of our retail partners, please reach out to us.

Multiple Return Requests

If more than one return is requested by an individual within a 12-month period, Vital Plan may use discretion in processing additional return requests to ensure honorable use of the return policy.

Incorrect Shipments

If products are missing from your order or you received products that you did not order please contact us at info@vitalplan.com or call 800-951-2414 and we will gladly assist you.

Defective Products

Your complete satisfaction is important to us. If you receive a faulty product (broken seal or expired product), please contact us immediately and we will ensure that the situation is quickly corrected.